Dutch captain: Barend Barendszoon Cramer

This drawn from my translation of what Dr. De Boer wrote about Barend Cramer:

In 1639, Barend Barendszoon Cramer took part in the whole campaign of the Battle of the Downs as flag captain of the Tromp in the Aemilia. He had already spent 24 years in the fleet, first as a quartermaster on the ship of Lt.-Admiral van Dorp and then with Tromp, who had appointed him as captain of the Aemilia. On 29 November 1640, he brought out an interesting report concerning the Aemilia, her poor condition, and unfitness for sea in the winter.

Three years later, Tromp tried to provide a better command for him as a convoyer with the great fishery of the College of the Maas, and gave him a glowing recommendation. But it was to no avail. Captain Cramer applied again, the following year.

They tried again in 1645 in Amsterdam. Now, Tromp was able to win a command for his protégé. Finally, on 9 September, he received a commission by the Admiral-General. He did not get command of the ship he wanted, the Walcheren, but the old ship of Captain Toelast, instead.

Captain Cramer had a difficult time, then in 1647, he sailed with Witte de With for Brazil. He and the Vice-Admiral fought, and in the courtmartial, Captain Cramer was found guilty, due to the injury he caused. After returning, on 8 February 1650, with complaints about the procedures followed by Witte de With. He seems to have been rehabilitated by a resolution of 16 September, in which he requested employment. His request was considered, along with good recommendations, and he was restored. He continued to have poor relations with Witte de With, and had an incident on 22 May 1652, where orders had been issued for the division of the fleet.

In the early part of the First Anglo-Dutch War, we know that Barend Cramer served under Commandeur Augustijn Balck in Witte de With's squadron. On July 5, he attended a council of war on board the Brederode, prior to sailing for the Shetlands. His was one of 26 Amsterdam ships operating with the main fleet. In October 1652, he was Balck's Vice-Admiral on the convoy to Muscovy. He commanded the Edam (28 guns) through the war.

In 1659, he commanded the Hollandia (44 guns) in De Ruyter's fleet in the Sound. This was an ship that was unique in the Dutch fleet, in that her dimension were 142ft x 32-1/2ft x 14-1/2ft. She was longer and narrower than other 44 gun ships. She disappeared her service in 1659, although it just may be that no records have survived.